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Email Stephan and Adam at letterstotheskypodcast[at]gmail.com. We love to hear from you and hear your ideas for episode topics.

Well, here we go again! Stephan keeps trying to lock Adam in the basement, but somehow he always escapes. Join the delightful duo as they navigate formalities and dive into the incredible origins of Zen. This episode unfolds the mind-blowing history of Bodhidharma, the first Zen Patriarch, who spent nine years staring at a wall (seriously, nine years!) and also helped shape Shaolin Kung Fu. The journey continues to Sengcan, the third patriarch, and the profound depth of the Hsin Hsin Ming. Stephan and Adam ponder the nuances of preferences, tension in existence, and how to naturally flow through life like a river. Is there any resistance in this moment? Well, let's find out together. Plus, discover meditative practices and brainwave science with a sprinkle of Adam's doctorly insight.

Email Stephan and Adam at letterstotheskypodcast[at[gmail.com

Ram Dass reading the Hsin Hsin Ming: https://www.ramdass.org/ram-dass-reads-the-third-chinese-patriarch/

Ziran (the natural, spontaneous way): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ziran

00:00 Introduction and Banter
00:32 Starting the Episode
01:13 Discussing the Third Zen Patriarch
01:53 Origins of Zen and Bodhidharma
04:10 Zen vs Tibetan Buddhism
06:10 Bodhi Dharma's Teachings and Legacy
08:41 The Profound Teachings of the Shin Shin Ming
12:37 Exploring Preferences and Awareness
15:58 The Role of Preferences in Enlightenment
25:19 Naturalness and Spontaneity in Action
27:10 Understanding Preferences and Misinterpretations
27:31 Natural Actions and Harmony
29:06 The Grind vs. Natural Flow
32:11 Meditative Practices and Brainwaves
36:16 Exploring Resistance and Allowing
38:40 The Metaphor of Layers
45:26 Final Thoughts

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Hey everyone, it's Stephan here! Ever wondered how to use your mind as a tool for awakening? Dive deep with me as I share insights, personal experiences, and some practical tips to train your mind on this incredible journey. From discussing the paths of devotion and meditation, to emphasizing the importance of dissolving beliefs, this video tackles the discomforts and blissful moments of the path to enlightenment. Get ready to cut through false beliefs and embrace a greater understanding. No beliefs are ultimately true, but some can be more useful than others on this journey. Join me and let's start cutting!

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👀 Join Adam and Stephan as they dive deep into the spiritual journey with a sprinkle of humor and a whole lot of wisdom. Beating their previous record of six months of not recording they’re back after only a week to unpack the secrets of doing the most damage to your spiritual path with the least amount of effort. They've even got book recommendations and analogies stacked on analogies for days. So come for the laughs, stay for the enlightenment, and remember, take it easy!

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Effortless Presence: Insights on Spiritual Integration and Letting Go - July 3, 2025

Join Adam and Stephan in a deep and heartfelt conversation about their recent experiences and revelations after reading 'Effortless Being' by David Bingham. They discuss the profound impact of the book on their spiritual journeys, the process of integrating new insights, and the concept of living life with zero resistance. Through personal anecdotes and philosophical explorations, they touch upon themes like the dissolution of self, trusting the present moment, and the pitfalls of seeking wholeness through the ego. This episode is a rich tapestry of wisdom, vulnerability, and practical advice for anyone on the path of spiritual awakening.

Email us at letterstotheskypodcast[at]gmail.com to get in touch and request topics or give feedback!

00:00 Reconnecting After a Long Break

00:31 The Power of Improv and 'Yes, And'

00:45 Life Updates and Inner Work

02:31 The Book That Changed Everything

04:30 Effortless Being and Spiritual Integration

08:18 Trusting the Experience

12:02 Zero Resistance and Trusting the Moment

22:15 The Role of the Mind and Problem-Solving

28:36 Embracing Life's Tasks with Joy

31:10 Embracing the Flow of Life

31:57 The Power of Siestas

35:22 Understanding Pain and Suffering

39:54 The Illusion of Control

47:31 The Search for Wholeness

52:58 The Nature of Definition

53:54 Listener Appreciation and Conclusion

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This week, Adam and Stephan dive into the concepts of validation and self-worth, inspired by the book 'The Courage to be Disliked' by Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga. They explore the importance of not seeking external validation and the challenge of finding inherent self-worth. With personal anecdotes and deep philosophical insights, this episode aims to provide listeners with a sense of freedom and ease. Don't miss this thought-provoking discussion!

00:00 Introduction
03:05 Book Discussion: The Courage to Be Disliked
04:10 Validation and Self-Worth in the Medical Profession
07:11 Personal Reflections on Validation and Achievement
09:49 Inherent Self-Worth and External Validation
19:30 The Power of Self-Validation
26:42 Conclusion and Gratitude

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If you're new here, we're Stephan and Adam. We bring the greatest wisdom of the past into everyday life.

Adam and Stephan dive deep into how beliefs shape our reality. With personal anecdotes about facing fears around firearms they explore the transformation that occurs when engaging with fear rather than avoiding it. They also highlight the impact of social media algorithms on our belief systems and share practical steps for uncovering and shifting limiting beliefs. Tune in to discover how to turn fear into opportunities for growth and healing.

00:00 Introduction and Catching Up
01:00 Diving into Beliefs and Spirituality
02:39 Facing Fears: A Personal Journey
08:30 Social Media Shows Us Our Beliefs
12:42 There is No Objective Reality
15:09 Addressing Limiting Beliefs and Meditation
21:02 Practical Takeaways

Contact us directly at letterstotheskypodcast[at]gmail.com to chat, recommend a book, leave feedback, or to get signed up for our newsletters.

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We're now on YouTube! Check out our channel with videos of our episodes, and don't forget to like and subscribe!

https://www.youtube.com/@letterstotheskypodcast


In this special holiday Postcard, Stephan and Adam share personal stories and insights on how to navigate the emotional challenges of the holiday season. They discuss the importance of being present, setting intentions, and creating space to process emotions. The episode emphasizes the power of non-judgment, awareness, and inner work as tools for healing and finding peace during what can often be a difficult time. They encourage listeners to share their own practices for dealing with holiday stress and highlight the significance of accepting the holiday experience as it is.

PS: Stephan's microphone is breaking and not consistent. We'll fix it ASAP.

Let us know your practices to get through the holidays in the comments! Thank you to our amazing viewers and listeners.

00:00 Holiday Greetings
01:37 Setting Intentions for the Holiday Episode
03:35 Understanding the Holiday Blues
04:30 Family Dynamics and Holiday Challenges
09:14 Coping Strategies for Holiday Stress
14:08 The Power of Presence and Non-Judgment
18:57 Creating Space and Managing Expectations
22:54 Final Thoughts and Holiday Wishes

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In this heartfelt episode, Adam and Stephan connect over their evolving lives, sharing personal breakthroughs and profound realizations. Adam dives deep into his recent experiences with meditation, achieving a moment of clarity and love that reshapes his perspective on self-worth and validation. Through a touching story involving visions of great spiritual teachers, Adam learns the importance of loving others and himself without the need for titles or positions. Join them in this reflective conversation about meditation, inner peace, and the journey towards self-acceptance.

00:00 Welcome Back!
00:53 Adam's Turn to Share
01:21 A Meditation Experience
06:07 The Power of Meditation
08:19 Discussing the Enneagram
11:41 The Importance of Mental Hygiene
19:27 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

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Copyright 2025 by Letters to the Sky